Background
Barnes was born in Dallas, Texas.
Barnes was born in Dallas, Texas.
He was ranked World Number. 7 in Ray Bowers" pro rankings for both 1938 and 1942 (and in the amateur-pro combined rankings for the latter). Barnes attended Austin High School.
He lost the singles final to Keith Gledhill of Stanford, 6–3, 2–6, 1–6, 4–6.
As a professional, he won the 1933 world men"s doubles championship with Bill Tilden, and lost the finals of the 1937 United States Professional Championship to Karel Koželuh and the 1938 finals to Fred Perry. In 1943, with the ranks of players severely depleted by World World War II, he won the championship by beating John Nogrady. As a collegiate player at the University of Texas, Austin he won the National Collegiate Athletic Association doubles championship in 1931 partnering Karl Kamrath. Barnes was the coach of the United States Davis Cup team in 1939.
He was a member of Delta Tau Delta International Fraternity.